Marin Readers' Forum for Aug. 15

News articles and public comments seem to have misunderstood the Board of Supervisors' Aug. 6 decision to not approve the Balestreri solar project in unincorporated Novato.

The 2,200-solar panel facility would have been the first industrial-scale solar operation on land in Marin that is agriculturally zoned, and also within the boundaries of the Baylands Corridor.

Agriculture is a crucial, often fragile, component of Marin's economy. The Baylands Corridor, along our eastern shore, includes areas, like this property, that are former marshes that were diked off from the bay years ago.

Tidal marshes efficiently absorb (sequester) carbon emissions, so building levees and converting them to other uses has contributed to rising temperatures. Reversion of these sites to saltwater marsh as ocean and bay waters rise should be encouraged by anyone concerned about climate change.

Supervisors' main concerns included: confusion in existing law and policy about how to characterize and review the facility, lack of clarity in relevant definitions and, most important, precedent-setting of an industrial solar operation on lands zoned for special protections.

The state is also struggling with how to treat solar projects replacing productive farmland and wildlife habitat, so this is not an isolated issue.

Supervisors Judy Arnold, Katie Rice and Kate Sears should be thanked for having the vision to proceed with caution, and withholding approval of this project until guidelines are prepared to ensure that projects like this can proceed without unintended consequences for the environment or our agricultural economy.

Ann Thomas, Corte Madera

Entitled to live in Marin?

The Aug. 13 Marin Voice column, "Civility and equity in Marin?" by Mitchell Marriott, is yet another example of an author advocating that taxpayers give their own money to help other people who normally could not afford to live in Marin County.

He suggests we should "welcome circumstantially challenged individuals" and that "a compassionate government can subsidize these worthy causes ..."

Since when is anyone entitled to live in a specific city, county or state?

For those people who cannot afford Marin, one of the most expensive counties in the United States, the majority of counties in the state are more affordable and have available housing for purchase or rent.

In fact, most states in the country are significantly more affordable than California.

Millions of people throughout our nation wish they could live in a more expensive area, but do not ask their fellow citizens to pay for it — they just live in a location they can afford.

Louis Himmelstein, Novato

Rooting for Cal's Goff

Marin's own Jared Goff is in the final countdown to determine who will start as Cal's quarterback. A standout last year at Marin Catholic's High School's championship team, Goff entered Cal this spring as a true freshman to play for the Bears.

Here's hoping he gets the nod as QB for the Old Blues and that the IJ keeps us posted on his progress. Go Bears!